Tony Southwick, defending, said: “It’s a rather sad state of affairs. This young man gone out with his friends the previous night.

“He’s got up and thought he was in a condition to drive.

“He set off and has been stopped by the police, who have spoken to him and it’s 52 in breath. He had not long passed his driving test and that took some time.

“Because of problems he’s had that was an achievement in itself and he is mortified that he’s put himself in this situation.

“He was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and is on insulin, having only recently, prior to the incident, started his medication.

He added: “The question is what, if any, effect that would have on the process of his system dealing with the alcohol from the night before. He hadn’t thought of the impact – of how it could have affected his metabolic rate.”

Mr Southwick, however, said he had not sought to use the condition to deny the offence.

“He will be disqualified from driving,” Mr Southwick added. “He’s embarked on an apprenticeship at Nissan and it will have a significant impact upon him.”